Weather & Climate in Bear Lake, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bear Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 115.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 1,554 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,554 ft (474 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 191/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.9934°N, 79.5013°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Warren County County |
| Nearest Airport | Erie International/Tom Ridge Field (ERI) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 50.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Sep 25, 1998 | 2 km SW of Adamsville, Pennsylvania | M4.5 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Edgewood, Ohio | M3.9 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 2023 | 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York | M3.8 | 113 km | 6 km |
| Jun 30, 2003 | 6 km NW of Perry, Ohio | M3.6 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Oct 16, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Madison, Ohio | M3.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Aug 28, 2023 | 7 km SE of Madison, Ohio | M3.6 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1992 | 15 km NW of North Perry, Ohio | M3.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2006 | 9 km WNW of North Perry, Ohio | M3.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2001 | 3 km N of Edgewood, Ohio | M3.4 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2004 | 2 km WNW of Madison, Ohio | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2013 | 5 km NNW of Fairport Harbor, Ohio | M3.2 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Apr 25, 2010 | 2 km WNW of Madison, Ohio | M3.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 1995 | 3 km NW of Amherst, New York | M3.0 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2004 | 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York | M2.9 | 92 km | 6 km |
| Jun 5, 2009 | 4 km SSE of Attica, New York | M2.9 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Feb 23, 1995 | 3 km W of Ashtabula, Ohio | M2.9 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 28, 2005 | 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada | M2.8 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Mar 8, 2008 | 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York | M2.7 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Jan 20, 2001 | 0 km NNW of Edgewood, Ohio | M2.6 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2022 | 5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York | M2.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
175 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 260 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 50 km | 29.0 mi | 7 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 38 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 56 km | 29.0 mi | 4 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 89 km | 14.0 mi | 12 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 39 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 23 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 35 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 63 km | 23.0 mi | 2 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 20 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| May 2, 1972 | EF3 | 83 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1971 | EF3 | 54 km | 29.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1970 | EF3 | 91 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1969 | EF3 | 11 km | 84.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1967 | EF3 | 83 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1963 | EF3 | 90 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1961 | EF3 | 75 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2024 | EF2 | 87 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2019 | EF2 | 29 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 76 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.7 m (9 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1823 | LAKE ERIE | Unknown | 2.7 m | - | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (628 acres, 1990).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 628 | 52 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 586 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 5.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 65°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.0 in |
Bear Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 22°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and February the driest (2.5").